He’s 6 and such a sweetheart, super loving and curious. But setting limits with him has become one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I constantly go back and forth between feeling like I’m being too hard or not hard enough. Like, he’ll have a full, blown meltdown and I’m standing there wondering if I should be comforting him or holding my ground. Saying no makes me feel guilty every single time. And the guilt just piles up.
I want to be firm and help him understand boundaries but I also want him to know he’s deeply loved and heard. It’s this exhausting mental tug of war every day and by bedtime I feel like I’ve run an emotional marathon.
Does anyone else feel like this? Like you’re trying to raise a kind and respectful little human but every decision feels like a high, stakes emotional game?
My 5yo sounds a lot like your son. Super affectionate but man those tantrums come fast and HARD when I try to set limits. Like one minute we’re playing Legos and the next he’s curled up yelling bc I said he couldn’t have another snack. I don’t know how much is normal or if I’m doing something wrong. Do you ever try walking away during tantrums? I can’t decide if that’s cold or just creating space. I always wonder what helps them feel safe but still understand rules?
Oh yes I’ve had those moments where I say “no” and immediately feel like I’ve just shattered his little world. And when they cry or scream it just makes you question everything even though you’re literally doing the thing you should be doing. I don’t have solutions, just wanted to say it’s so real. The mental back and forth, it’s next level. Especially when you’re solo parenting or just running on fumes. Sending hugs to all of us trying to hold the line and still be warm and loving